Co. Legislature Minority Leader says he has "open mind" on new proposal to buy County Home...

The minority leader on the Chautauqua County Legislature says he'll keep an "open mind" in evaluating the latest proposal to buy the County Home in Dunkirk. However... Jamestown Democrat Robert Whitney says he's going to have a "lot of questions" for regional nursing home operator Richard Platschek at a special meeting in two weeks. Whitney he likes the fact Platschek is majority owner of three homes in the Buffalo-area... but, adds he's concerned about how he's going to handle employees of the County Home. He says he wants to know how people are going to be hired -- or hired back, along with wages, and benefits -- like health care. Whitney is considered by some to be a possible swing vote. He voted against selling the home to Altitude Health Services of Illinois... but, later voted to sell the home -- if the right buyer came along. He says it's still too early to say because he just received a copy of the proposal. Whitney also took a swipe at Majority Republicans... because they already knew who the buyer was two weeks ago. All lawmakers will get the chance to find out more about Platschek's proposal at a special meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 21 in Mayville.

Croscut announces run for ninth-term on County Legislature...

Chautauqua County Legislator Fred Croscut has announced he's running for re-election... representing the new District 18. The Sherman Republican adds that he's also seeking the GOP nomination in the September 10th primary. Under reapportionment... the new district includes the town of Sherman and most of the towns of Chautauqua and Mina. It also includes the villages of Sherman and Mayville. Croscut has served on the Legislature for 16 years... and, as a county lawmaker... he has held numerous positions including Legislature Chairman... and, Minority Leader. He is also a former member of the Public Safety Committee... currently chairs the Planning and Economic Development Committee. He's also a member of the county's Industrial Development Agency board... and the Farmland Protection Board... among others. Croscut says he was also the first legislator to meet with Public Facilities Director George Spanos... and, County Executive Greg Edwards on how to keep the Sherman DPF Shop open. He also met with employees of the shop... and, took part in a town meeting which led to the closing being reconsidered... and, a study being done on all services provided by the village, town, and county. The life-long resident of Sherman also continued operating his family's dairy operation for 40 years.

U.S. Diplomat outlines need to have an objective... but, also means to carry out regime change...

Diplomacy in the 21st Century requires a "marrying" of objective and means. That from Dennis Ross... Friday's featured lecturer at Chautauqua Institution. Ross... who is with the Washington Institute... is both a diplomat and author... who most recently was a Special Advisor on the Persian Gulf to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Ross tells our Jim Roselle that President Obama made a mistake by saying he wanted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad removed from power after crack-downs on protestors... but, the means to do it didn't exist. Ross says when Obama said Assad "had to go..." he pointed out an objective. However... if you don't have the means to make it happen -- either alone or with help -- you "highlight our ineffectiveness." Ross adds that... when you do that... you're less likely to get others -- either in the country or out -- to join you. Plus the military remained loyal to Assad. He says it was different in Egypt... even though Hosne Mubarak had been part of the military... and, thought he still had the military's support. Ross spoke to conclude "Diplomacy" week at Chautauqua.